Letters And Life 

Mitsuo Katsui is a graphic designer that specializes in combining technology with culture. He is famous for his posters incorporating bold color and experimental typography, using both English and Japanese to reach wide audiences. Inspired by the classic Japanese expression of ”ikizama” or the life flow of all things, he strives to combine light, nature and color in a way that pushes the bounds of design and technology past modern aesthetics. 

The main goal of many of his designs and posters is to create an open conversation with viewers through the use of technology. Pushing the bounds of what communication even is, he focuses on creating understanding and feeling through his color gradients and layering techniques. 

Along with the utilization of the Japanese and English language to combine and spread culture, he also references traditional Japanese beliefs of harmony and balance in his work. Pushing the idea that having a balanced layout, color scheme and typography will help create a more uniformed message. 

Combining traditional Japanese aesthetics of balance and color using modern day technology, he is a designer who helped establish the importance of digital graphic design during the postmodern period. Working with major clients such as The Japanese Olympics and work for Japan World Exposition in Osaka, he serves as an important figure in the growth of Japanese digital poster design.  

Contextual Information Provided by: Ready Mag, Design Reviewed and Sabukaru [https://readymag.com/designstories/mitsuo-katsui/][https://designreviewed.com/artefacts/design-japan-111-1968/][https://sabukaru.online/articles/the-artist-who-invented-a-new-language-without-words-mitsuo-katsui]